WORLD MODEL AIRPLANE CHAMPION17-year-old bests top fliers from around the globe

Published 5:30 am, Thursday, August 26, 2010

Since that time the 17-year-old Cy-Falls High School senior has invested many hours with his grandfather, winning contest after contest, to finally become the World Model Airplane Champion in the F2B, Precision Aerobatics Discipline, Junior Class.

Young's first competition was in Dallas. He took first place because he was the only one in his age class who showed up.

He began with Almost Ready to Fly planes, but quickly graduated to custom-building his own models out of balsam wood and other lightweight materials.

"We went to a lot of contests," Young said. "Every Memorial Day we went to the flight field at Addicks Reservoir for a contest. There's also one in Dallas. And every July there is a national event held in Muncie, Indiana. Sometimes meets are held in Texarkana and Baton Rouge. And there are the stunt championships in Tucson, Arizona. The contests are just all around the U.S., and we decided which ones we wanted to go to."

"Normally 20-30 people turn out for a contest. There are beginner, intermediate and expert fliers, who are all separated into different categories."

Young is an expert flier.

This year Young and his grandparents made the trip to Gyula, Hungary for the World Model Airplane Championships.

"There are two classes in the world competition, junior and senior. Anyone over the age of 18 flies in the senior class," Young said. "Eleven juniors and 80 seniors competed."

Young overcame tremendous odds just to be able to participate in the competition. His airplanes, engines and equipment were lost in transit to Hungary. Only the backup model arrived the day after he did. Young was able to complete only because a U.S. adult team member and former World Champion loaned him an extra engine.

Again guided by his grandfather, Young spent the early qualifying rounds adjusting to the unfamiliar engine in his backup airplane.